by Joanna Wayne
Dani raced down the remaining few steps and then crossed the first bridge she came to, stopping at the top of the arch for a better view of the lively waterway. “It’s beautiful. Are you sure we’re still in the same country?”
“Don’t tell me this is your first visit to San Antonio?”
“No. I drove to the city several times when I was getting the bakery up and running, but all the supply shops were on the outskirts of town. There was never any time to spare, since I had to hurry back before Constance got home from school.”
“You and Constance have got to get out more.”
“We are. We’re about to visit what I hear is a very exciting ranch.”
“It will be, once you arrive.”
“Problems and all?”
“You just left those behind at a highly rated lab. The next few days are fun, relaxation and getting to know each other better. Much better.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it, leaving no doubt what he meant. Hot pangs of anticipation stirred a new wave of desire. She wanted to taste his lips, wanted to explore the passion he ignited with his touch.
Wanted to escape her own inhibitions and go where temptation led her.
But could she do that knowing this had nowhere to go, knowing she’d be just another charm to add to his collection?
“We’ll have to come back during the Christmas season,” Riley said, “when the entire River Walk glistens from the illumination of millions of tiny lights. Then it really does look magical.”
“And which Christmas are you likely to make it back to Texas for, Riley Lawrence?”
He hesitated, then shrugged. “Guess I’d have to figure that one out.”
In other words, don’t count on him. No surprise. She’d known that from the beginning. But he was here today and she needed this fairyland break from reality. “Where do we go for those margaritas you were touting?”
“We’re almost there.”
* * *
RILEY SIPPED HIS MARGARITA, his gaze fastened on Dani as she dipped her chip into a bowl of guacamole. When she parted her lips and slipped the chip into her mouth, desire bucked deep inside him. Nothing about this crazy attraction made sense. He’d been with lots of women. Some prettier than Dani. Some younger. Some older. Some with kids—some without.
None had ever intrigued him the way Dani did. He liked her verve, her spark and determination, the way she took on life. He’d seen it that first morning when she just kept pouring coffee, serving pastries and smiling as the line snaked around the room. She’d been flustered but still congenial, and greeted every customer in a way that made them forgive her for the wait.
He was impressed by her business savvy, her cooking skills and her relationship with Constance.
A lot of young, single women would have resented having to take over the care of a motherless niece. Dani acted like it was a gift from the gods. James Haggard might not know it yet, but even without Riley’s intervention, he had met his match.
Not that Riley was going anywhere until Haggard was gone for good.
Dani picked up the lunch menu and studied it. “It all looks wonderful. Any suggestions?”
“I’ve had their chicken enchiladas verdes before. They’re great. If you like lobster, the lobster empanada is excellent. All their tostados are good. Or we could share fajitas if you’re up for that. You might want to bear in mind that while suppers at the ranch are usually light, Esther can’t resist an overflowing table when she has a full house.”
“Are you certain you checked this ranch vacation out with Esther and that she’s good with it?”
“How well do you know Esther?” he teased.
Dani laughed. “You’re right. You could invite half the town over and she’d just start smiling and frying chicken. She’s ecstatic over having her three boys home, as she refers to you and your brothers.”
“If she’s still around when we go on Medicare, we’ll still be her boys.”
“And here I am, stealing you away again.”
“And you had to work so hard at it.”
The waitress came by to take their order.
“If you need a few more minutes, that’s fine,” she assured them.
“I think we’re ready.” Dani turned back to him. “Are you still in for sharing fajitas?”
“I’m in. The combo fajitas for two, with extra jalapenos.”
“Will there be anything else?” the waitress asked.
“Not for me,” Dani said.
“That’ll do it,” he agreed.
Dani commented on the sightseeing barges on the waterway and the pedestrians strolling by a few steps from their table. Bringing her here was a great idea. She needed this taste of normalcy in her life.
Keeping her mind off James Haggard until she heard the results would be a challenge.
She turned back to face him. “You’re a hard man to figure, Cowboy Riley.”
“Only if you’re looking for something hidden beneath the surface. I am what you see. No surprises or great depths to be discovered.”
“I don’t believe that. What was your life like growing up in Winding Creek?”
“That’s going back a long way.”
“Not that long. You’re, like, what? Twenty-five?”
“Twenty-eight. You?”
“Twenty-six. That gets the basics out of the way. So back to your life growing up as the middle brother.”
“The typical life. We lived in town. Went to local schools. Never worried about much except getting in trouble for not doing our homework or for breaking something while wrestling inside the house.”
Odd, but he didn’t think about that life much anymore. It was like his pre-life, before the tragedy that had reshaped the rest of his life.
“A good life,” Dani said. “The kind I hope to give Constance from here on out.”
He nodded. “A good life. Safe. I guess if I had to describe those years in one word, it would be safe.”
He’d never thought of it that way before, and he seldom dwelled on that part of his past, but it was true.
“And then my parents left one morning and never came back. They were there and then they were gone. Killed in a five-vehicle pileup on the way to San Antonio.”
“How traumatic to lose both your parents at once. How old were you then?”
“Fourteen. I was angry with them at first.” He’d never told anyone that before, wasn’t sure he’d ever admitted that to himself. The truth had always had a way of hiding inside him, tamped down so tightly it couldn’t escape.
Dani had somehow loosened the cap, releasing even the darkest of memories.
“I remember one day standing on the edge of the gorge at Lonesome Branch. I came within inches of ending my life that day. Instead, I stood there and screamed curses at my parents for leaving me until I finally broke into sobs.”
“Anger is a natural step in dealing with grief.”
“I wasn’t reasoning all that out at the time.”
“I’m sure. A trauma like that would knock you off-kilter at any age.”
“Yep. Thankfully Charlie Kavanaugh taught me the value of climbing back into the saddle even when you think you don’t have the courage to try.”
“And he obviously got you hooked on the cowboy lifestyle.”
“I owe him big for that.” Owed him enough he should be digging a lot deeper into whether or not Charlie’s death was actually a suicide.
“It may seem odd, but in the days that followed, the gorge became my special place to go when something good or bad happened in my life. The spot where I went to celebrate or just to get my head on straight.”
“Everyone needs a place like that.”
“Where is yours?”
“I guess I’d have to say it’s in my kitchen making dough.”
“I get that. I hate to change the subject, but would you mind if we make a quick stop at the prison on our way back to Winding Creek? It’s only a few miles out of the way.”
“For you to see Dudley Miles?”
“Yeah. How did you guess?”
“I’ve heard Esther talk about what great friends Charlie and Dudley were.”
“And had been for years. Good men. Strong willed, but fair and honest. Both had ranching in their blood. Seems unreal that their lives would take such bizarre and disastrous twists within months of each other.”
“I know. That’s why I gave in to Angela’s mother’s pleas that I give Angela a job. To lose a child and have your father go to prison for manslaughter and then hide the evidence by trying to get rid of the body must be taking its toll on her.”
“Your decision, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work out with Angela. My guess is she’s got more problems than a job can fix.”
“I’m afraid I agree, and, of course, I don’t mind stopping off at the prison. Why don’t you give them a call while I take a restroom break and see what you can arrange?”
Riley watched her walk away. Damn, did she look good leaving! Almost as good as she did coming. And that was with her clothes on. His body sprang to life just imagining what she’d look like with them off.
He motioned to their waitress. “One more margarita for the lady.”
“And for yourself?”
“Designated driver. I’ll take a sweet iced tea.”
He looked up the phone number for the prison and made the call. After a few runarounds to different departments and several on-holds, the visit was arranged.
He wasn’t sure how to approach Dudley or what he expected to get out of him that might help. He just felt like he owed this to Charlie.
* * *
DANI STROLLED THE aisles of dozens of open-air stalls that dotted Greenhorn Fairgrounds. Spring Fest days in the rural community proved to be the perfect spot for her to while away an hour on her own.
It was only one mile off the exit for the prison and a world away from James Haggard. Not that she hadn’t thought Winding Creek was a world away from scum like him until he showed up there.
She pulled her phone from her handbag and checked for messages she might have missed. There were none. Hopefully that meant no more destruction of her bakery. She made a quick call to Crystal to satisfy herself all was well on that front, too. She spoke to Constance, as well.
The conversation lasted about two minutes, which was all the time Constance could spare from the day’s adventure. Hiking was done. Next up was hamburgers and chocolate shakes.
Feeling mellower and more relaxed than she had in days, Dani stopped at a pottery display, immediately captivated by the brilliant colors of the glaze. She picked up a gorgeous pitcher in shades that ranged from sand to a dazzling turquoise.
“That’s one of my favorite pieces,” the lady standing inside the open stall said. “The glaze is lead-free and safe for all types of food and beverages.”
“It’s exquisite. Did you make it yourself?”
“I made everything that’s on display, all one-of-a-kind.”
Dani’s thoughts jumped circuits, quickly switching to business. Several of the pieces on display now would not only add a touch of real class to the bakery’s decor, but also likely be moneymakers for her and the artist.
“My name’s Dani Boatman and I own Dani’s Delights in Winding Creek.”
“Really? I’ve heard of your shop from some of my customers. Best chocolate croissants and cinnamon buns in Texas.”
“Maybe I should have that painted on my window.”
“I’m Judy Kates. I also paint signs and windows.”
In minutes, they’d made an appointment to discuss a business arrangement and Dani had purchased the pitcher for a thank-you gift for Esther after their ranch stay. The pitcher was so heavy she left it with Judy to be picked up when Riley called and said he was waiting for her at the exit.
As she walked away, she was surprised to realize that despite James Haggard’s threats, despite the fact that she had no guarantee how the paternity testing would come out, she was still making plans for her and Constance to have a life in Winding Creek.
Riley’s confidence had to be playing a role in that. His masculinity and virility screamed self-assurance. His protectiveness gave her the freedom to have faith in herself. His...
His rambling ways meant that he wasn’t a forever type of guy.
He was who he was. Here and now. That would have to do.
She picked up a few more items—beautifully illustrated books about horses for Constance and Jaci, a jar of jalapeno jelly for Riley and a teal Western shirt with pearl snaps for herself.
Her phone rang as she paid for the shirt. She wasn’t expecting Riley to be back for at least another half hour. She checked the caller ID. Unavailable.
Her throat tightened, and her hello sounded ragged even to her ears.
There was a moment of silence. She started to break the connection.
“I’m sure your cowboy lover will like you in that shirt.”
The voice was unfamiliar. Anxiety ran roughshod through her veins.
She looked around, expecting to see James Haggard. When she didn’t, she suddenly felt as if every man around was staring her. “Who is this?”
“It doesn’t matter. I know where you went today. A waste of your time. I could have told you how the test results will come out. Get the money ready for James or start planning your life without any contact with your niece. That’s not a threat, it’s a promise.”
Chapter Thirteen
Riley looked through the rectangular piece of glass that separated him from Dudley. The man in prison orange was barely recognizable as the man Riley remembered from a short visit to the Double K Ranch about four summers ago. The man was likely around seventy. He could easily pass for eighty.
Riley had gone fishing with Charlie and Dudley in a stocked pond on Dudley’s sprawling ranch. They’d caught a few bream and trout, but mostly the two old friends had guzzled beer and swapped stories from the old days.
Both men were ranchers, and there the similarities had ended.
Dudley Miles was probably the wealthiest guy in the county, his riches coming from his success in ranching and his wife’s enormously large inheritance from her father’s oil business. Millie loved their extravagant lifestyle. Dudley liked his cattle.
To look at the gaunt angles of Dudley’s face and the loose bags of pale skin below his eyes and chin now, you’d assume Dudley hadn’t enjoyed anything in decades.
The guard walked away. Dudley stared questioningly until the light of recognition reached his pale blue eyes. “Quick Draw.” His lips twitched but didn’t quite form a smile. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
It had been years since anyone called Riley by the nickname Dudley had given him the first time he and Charlie took the brothers shooting.
“I’m in town for Pierce’s wedding. Just thought I’d drop by and say hi.”
“I appreciate that. Not many do, but I don’t blame them. No good reason for it. Nothing changes in here. Nothing to talk about.”
Dudley reached up and ran his wrinkled fingers through his thinning gray hair. “I heard about the wedding.”
“I suppose Angela told you.”
He shook his head. “No reason for her to come here. Wouldn’t be good for either for us. Millie says Angela is dealing with the grief in her own way.”
Riley doubted if Millie had told him that meant falling all over every guy who gave her a second look and some who didn’t.
Looking at Dudley now, it was hard to imagine he could have a dau
ghter close to Riley’s age. But according to Charlie, Dudley had married late and it had taken Millie years to carry a baby full-term. Supposedly that explained why Angela had been known at school as a spoiled, stuck-up snot.
None of that was what had brought Riley to the prison today. Might as well cut to the unpleasant chase. “I have to admit I’m not just here to say hello.”
“Didn’t figure you were. I reckon you have questions about Charlie. Pierce did, too, when he drove down here to see me a couple of months back. Maybe more than a couple of months. Time doesn’t seem to matter much around here.”
And Dudley had a good chance of being here for the rest of his life.
“If I knew what got into Charlie, I’d tell you,” Dudley said. “He never let on to me he was thinking about taking his life. If he had I would have found a way to stop him.”
“Did he mention to you that he was having financial problems?”
“He admitted times were hard. They were for most ranchers after the big drought. I offered him money. A loan. A gift. Hell, I would have given him the shirt off my back. You know that.”
“He turned you down?”
“I reckon he did. To tell you the truth, I don’t remember much about what was going on back then. Had my own problems. My grandson...” Dudley’s voice broke and he looked away.
“Want to talk about that?”
“No.” He drew his lips together as if he was forcing the words to stay inside them.
He was hurting bad. Even Riley could see that. He could buy that Dudley had a couple of drinks and then fell asleep on the couch when he should have been caring for a toddler. What he couldn’t bring himself to accept was that Dudley took that boy’s dead body and tossed it into a woody area to rot.
“What really happened that day your grandson went missing, Dudley? We both know you’d never dump his body and then say he was kidnapped.”
Dudley covered his face with trembling hands. He stayed that way for what must have been a full minute. Finally, he lowered his hands and spread them out, palms down, on the small table where he’d been resting his elbows.